Co-op

At Waterloo, co-op students alternate study terms with co-op work terms and graduate with relevant, paid work experience. This means learning how to navigate the hiring process, applying your skills to real-life problems and learning about yourself along the way. 

In Arts, co-op is available in Philosophythrough Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business. 

• Learn how co-op works
• Learn if co-op is right for you
• Learn about your roles and responsibilities as a co-op student

Co-op eligibility

Co-op is only available to students in Honours academic plans. 

• Honours Gender and Social Justice students require a minimum 70% major average
• Honours Arts and Business, Honours Gender and Social Justice students require a minimum 70% major average and a minimum 70% average in their Honours Arts and Business courses.

As an Arts student, in most cases, you will be assessed for co-op eligibility when you declare your major. 

If you are eligible, you will be admitted to co-op prior to starting your second-year Fall term (academic level 2A). Learn more about Arts co-op eligibility and speak with the Gender and Social Justice undergraduate advisor if you have any questions.

Co-op sequences 

You will have five work term opportunities in your sequence and you need to complete a minimum of four work terms. The sequence you follow is determined by when you start your studies and your academic plan(s). For example, students in Honours Arts and Business follow a different sequence than students in Honours Arts. 

Learn more about which sequence you follow as a Gender and Social Justicemajor. 

If you are requesting a sequence change, please see:

• Reasons for a sequence change request
• Co-operative Education request for academic/work term sequence change form

Co-op fees

Co-op at Waterloo is predominantly funded by a student-paid co-op fee. Similar to tuition, this fee is associated with being enrolled in a co-op program and is paid in installments throughout your time at Waterloo. To learn more about these fees and what they cover, visit the Co-operative Education’s fee page.

Work term reports and Professional Development (PD) courses

Co-op students in Arts must successfully complete four work reports. The first work report, which is to be completed during your first work term, will be satisfied by the successful completion of PD12: Reflection and Learning in the Workplace. Learn more about the Arts work term report requirements. 

Co-op students in Arts must successfully complete four Professional Development (PD) courses. These courses help you increase your employability and assist you with seeing connections between work experience and what you learn in the classroom. 

Co-op supports

As a co-op student, you will have a team of support. Learn how to connect with your team.

All students (co-op and regular streams) have access to Centre for Career Development resources and support at any point during their time at Waterloo.

If you have further questions about co-op, please contact the GSJ advisor.